Intel acquires health-tracking wearable device maker Basis Science

Intel confirmed today that it has acquired Basis Science, maker of a wearable health-tracking device, for an undisclosed price. The deal was rumored to be in the $100 million to $150 million range.

The trend underscores the momentum behind wearable health-tracking devices and Intel’s own interest in supplying both the components and consumer products for a new generation of sensor-based computing devices.

Above: Jef Holove, CEO of Basis Science

Image Credit: VentureBeat

Basis Science makes the Basis band, an advanced health tracker that goes a step beyond most wrist-mounted fitness devices (which track motion) by tracking your heart rate, sweat, motion, and sleep. It can use its multiple sensors to tell if you are running, walking, biking, or sleeping. And it can tell if you are in a light sleep, REM sleep, or deep sleep.

Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich said at the Consumer Electronics Show that Intel isn’t just about chips anymore. It will also design and sell products in the digital health, internet of things, and fashion markets. The deal with Basis accelerates that plan.

“We get immediate entry into the market with an experienced team that has one of the leading products in the market,” said Mike Bell, vice president at Intel. “One of the really exciting things from my perspective is that, as we build software and services for this market, this gives us access to real information from someone who is already in direct contact with users.”

Jef Holove, chief executive of Basis Science, said in an interview,”You can imagine that being part of this family gives us access to resources that we only dreamed of as a starup.”

Beyond selling a health-tracking watch, Basis differentiates itself by processing the data that the device produces, so it can provide analytics to customers on its web site. For instance, you can see exactly how much walking or sleeping you’ve done in a day. And Basis sets goals for you to continuously improve, and big data so that you can get a better understanding of your overall health.

More information:

Intel is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. As a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability, In... read more »

Basis was founded on a belief that the key to encouraging people to play a more active role in their health and wellness lies in combining comprehensive information about their body, with easy-to-understand insights and a motivating ex... read more »